Junior Doctor Strike 14-17 June

The BMA and HCSA have announced there will be junior doctor strikes running from 06:59 on Wednesday 14 June and 06:59 on Saturday 17 June. 

It is expected that there will be disruption to services at County Hospital and Royal Stoke during the 72 hours of industrial action and we are asking the public for their support to help reduce the impact of this on our patients.

Some planned appointments and clinics have been rescheduled but please plan to attend your appointments unless you are contacted directly by us. You do not need to contact your NHS service or team in advance, we will let you know if an appointment needs to be rescheduled.

We will be prioritising emergency care – 999 and our emergency departments are still the right services if it is a life-saving emergency.

However, for anything that isn’t a life-threatening illness or injury, please use 111 online as the first port of call for health needs. You can also call 111 for help, advice and signposting to the most appropriate service.

Neonatal care, maternity, trauma and patients who have waited the longest for elective care and cancer surgery will all be prioritised also.

Dr Matthew Lewis, UHNM Medical Director today urged patients to choose services wisely during the industrial action and take simple steps to help ensure care is available to patients who need it most.

Pharmacies, walk-in centres, minor injury units and urgent treatment centres will also continue to be available across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

UHNM Medical Director, Dr Matthew Lewis said:

“Patient safety is our absolute priority and we are working together with our healthcare partners to ensure essential urgent and emergency care services are available so that patients can continue to access vital medical attention when they need it most.

“We are asking patients to help NHS staff during this time and use services wisely. Only use our emergency departments and 999 for life-threatening illnesses or injuries to ensure care is available to patients who need it most. If it is not an emergency, use NHS 111 online as the first port of call for help, advice and support.

“We are putting plans in place to limit the impact on appointments and clinics but ask patients to continue to attend planned appointments unless you hear directly from us to make new arrangements.

“We thank the public for their support and we are also incredibly grateful to all of our staff for their hard work and dedication.”

He added: “We are also asking the public to play their part by taking simple steps during industrial action to look after themselves, loved ones and checking in on vulnerable family members and neighbours.”